Chapter 163: 163 - panic attack
163
~Lisa’s POV
I sat up straighter in bed, my pulse racing. Luca’s sudden friendliness felt... off. Too sudden. I didn’t know him, not really. Something about his insistence made my skin crawl.
"Luca..." I began, keeping my voice calm but firm. "I appreciate your thought, but you need to leave. Now."
He tilted his head, that strange, steady gaze fixed on me. "I just want to be friends," he said again. "I’m not trying to..."
"Friends?" I repeated, my voice rising slightly. "Do you know what you’re doing right now? It’s so wrong to barge into my room while I’m asleep. I can’t believe you even think this is okay!"
He opened his mouth, hesitating, maybe to defend himself. I took a deep breath, sitting up fully, and moved closer to the door. "I’m serious," I said, my hands brushing the edge of the doorframe. "You need to go. I’m giving you the chance to leave now before I call for help."
For a moment, he froze, like he was thinking it over.
"I just want us to talk, share things."
I frowned, crossing my arms. "Friends? You don’t even know me. And barging into my room like this? That’s not how friends behave."
"I just wanted a chance," he murmured, taking a step forward.
I shook my head, my patience wearing thin. "No! You need to leave my room. Right now. This is your warning. If you don’t, I’ll have someone remove you myself."
He hesitated, tilting his head, those dark eyes locked on mine. "I... I don’t think that’s fair."
"Fair?" I snapped, standing up fully. "Do you know how wrong it is to walk into someone’s private space when they’re asleep? I don’t care what excuse you have. It’s wrong, and you should be ashamed!"
Luca’s mouth opened, maybe to protest, but I didn’t let him speak. I moved toward the door, intending to open it for him so he could leave quietly.
But before I could, he lunged forward.
I froze for a heartbeat, my mind spinning as his lips pressed against mine, firm and aggressive. Every instinct in my body screamed for me to move, to fight, to escape. I shoved against his chest, but he didn’t budge. Panic clawed at my throat. "No! Stop!" I screamed, my voice cracking from fear and anger, hoping that someone, anyone, would hear me.
His hands tried to pin me in place, gripping my arms and shoulders as though I were a thing to control. My nails scraped against his skin as I twisted and struggled, every motion fueled by desperation. I kicked at him, trying to jab my heels into his shins, but he barely flinched. I flailed, twisted my body sharply, shoved with all my strength, anything to create space between us. "Let me go, you idiot!" I yelled, voice shaking, breath coming in short gasps.
Finally, in a moment of clarity, my hand found his cheek. I slapped him as hard as I could. The sharp, echoing smack filled the room, and his head snapped to the side, eyes wide with disbelief. He staggered back, blinking rapidly, as if the reality of what had just happened was sinking in for the first time. My chest heaved, my pulse thundering painfully in my ears.
I didn’t wait to see his reaction any longer. Every second felt like an eternity, every heartbeat like a countdown to more danger. I lunged toward the door, forcing it open and throwing myself into the corridor beyond. My feet pounded against the polished floors as I ran, adrenaline giving me strength I didn’t know I had. I could feel my hair whipping against my face, my clothes clinging to my skin, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was putting as much distance as possible between him and me.
My chest burned from exertion, each breath sharp and ragged, each step heavy with terror. My hands trembled uncontrollably as they clutched at the fabric of my gown, my nails digging into my palms. I could hear my own heartbeat thundering in my ears, a deafening rhythm that matched the pounding of my feet on the floor. My entire body was shaking, and yet I couldn’t stop.
Finally, I pressed my back against the wall at the end of the hall, sliding down until I was crouched on the floor, trying to steady my breathing. My heart still raced wildly, my entire body trembling with fear and lingering anger. My hands shook as I wiped at my face, damp with sweat and tears, trying to regain some control over myself. I forced my gaze forward, my mind spinning, replaying the attack, the force of his lips, the way he had tried to hold me down.
The hallway seemed endless, stretching like a nightmare that wouldn’t end. My vision blurred. The walls swayed around me. The adrenaline that had carried me out of that room was fading fast, and something heavier, shock, exhaustion, was dragging me down.
"No... not now..." I whispered to myself, my voice weak.
A heavy dizziness washed over me. The air felt thick, impossible to pull into my lungs. I tried to steady myself, reaching for the wall, but the corridor tilted violently. My knees buckled, and before I could cry out for help, darkness swallowed me whole.
When I opened my eyes again, everything was softer, like waking from a terrible dream. The light in the room was dim, the curtains drawn halfway. I blinked rapidly, trying to understand where I was. The familiar scent of my chamber told me I was safe... but I wasn’t alone.
Strong arms held me carefully, and when I turned my head, I saw Damon. His eyes, usually sharp and composed, were clouded with worry.
"You’re awake," he said, his voice low but urgent. "What happened, Lisa? I found you lying in the corridor."
My lips parted, but no words came at first. Panic gripped me again, the memory rushing back like a flood. Luca’s face, his hands, the way he forced himself on me, it all crashed into my mind just like Damon and his brothers forced themselves on me, making my body tremble.
"I... I..." My throat tightened, and tears threatened to spill. "Someone....he tried...He tried to..."
Damon’s grip on me shifted, firm but gentle, like he was grounding me. His brows drew together, his jaw tense. "Who? Tell me who did this."
"He said..." I stammered, my voice shaking so badly I could hardly hear myself. "He called himself Luca. He...he tried to..." My words broke apart, tangled in sobs and gasps. I could barely string them together, my voice incoherent, every attempt to explain making my panic rise again.
Damon leaned closer, his tone steady but filled with concern. "Lisa, breathe.Just breathe with me."